Agreement reached on new text of Environmental Impact Assessment Directive

The European Union’s Permanent Representatives Committee has approved a compromise with the European Parliament on new text for the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

This endorses agreement reached between the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and European Parliament representatives.

Although the new text has not been released as yet, the European Union has revealed that large public and private projects will be subject to tougher environmental regulations.

In a statement, the Council of the European Union said: “The directive is aimed at ensuring a high level of protection of the environment and human health through the establishment of common minimum requirements on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

“The amendments agreed adapt the current directive to the policy, legal and technical contexts which have evolved considerably. In particular, the quality of the environmental impact assessments procedure is strengthened and aligned with the principles of the smart regulation. In addition, the new directive enhances consistency and synergies with other EU legislation and policies, as well as strategies and policies developed by member states in areas of national competence.”

The Permanent Representatives Committee is composed of the ambassadors of the 28 EU Member States.